Page 42 - 2021 TAA Magazine

Down the Stretch SANCTUARY

Ranch REHABILITATION
RETRAINING/ADOPTION
EQUINE-ASSISTED PROGRAM

TESTIMONIAL:
“What the TAA does
is incredible. Being
accredited by the
TAA is important to
ensure these horses
are properly cared
for. The accredita-
tion process helped
us see ways to make
our organization even
better.”

FOUNDED: 2015
ADDRESS:
27700 Miles Creston Rd. N.
Creston, WA 99117
PHONE:
(253) 350-0160
Children from Fairchild Air Force Base participate in equine programs at Down the Stretch. MAIN CONTACT:
Boone McCanna
WEB ADDRESS:
Down the Stretch Ranch was founded in 2015 the story of that horse and shown race replays
by Hall of Fame trainer Jerry Hollendorfer, his to understand the animal’s background. Then downthestretch.org
wife Janet Hollendorfer, and Boone McCanna. horse and veteran get the chance to spend time SOCIAL:
The 501(c)(3) organization uses ex-racehorses to together in a round pen. If both are comfort- downthestretchranch
provide therapeutic rehabilitation for military able, the veteran is given the opportunity to ride
veterans. around the ranch to spend more time with the off- @DownTheStretchR
As these equine athletes offer comfort and the-track Thoroughbred. AVERAGE NUMBER OF
companionship to the veterans, the organiza- The ranch also offers housing for attending
tion provides a situation for the horses and veterans, with many choosing to extend their THOROUGHBREDS PER YEAR:
humans to thrive. In this form of equine ther- stay or return to the ranch later. 32
apy, there are parallels and connections to be Recently, Down the Stretch has been hosting
made between the veterans and equine athletes families and children from Fairchild Air Force
as they were both highly trained in their peak- Base, the largest aerial refueling station in the
performance days. world, that has 600 families on base. Children on
When a veteran arrives at the Washington- base can sometimes struggle making new friends
based ranch, McCanna offers a tour of the facil- when a parent is deployed. The aid of horses at
ity, which includes an area for the main herd to Down the Stretch can help children connect and
roam over 100 acres. Just as each veteran has his cope.
own story, so does every member of the herd at While the ranch operates mostly as a sanctu-
Down the Stretch Ranch. ary for Thoroughbreds, the organization also
Once the veterans select a horse, they are told adopts out sound horses to qualified homes.

PAGE 40 DAILY RACING FORM